"Solitary bamboo", also known as "Zhang Zhu", was first seen in Oracle Bone Inscriptions in Yin Ruins and inscriptions on bronze in Shang Dynasty. There are more than 40 records about Zhu's activities in Oracle Bone Inscriptions. Some Shang bronzes unearthed in Lulong, Qian 'an and western Liaoning in Hebei Province are engraved with the word "solitary bamboo". The historical records of the solitary bamboo country can also be found in ancient books such as Guoyu, Guanzi, Han Feizi and Historical Records.
At present, there are several explanations for the name of solitary bamboo in academic circles: First, solitary bamboo is also written as "Zhang Zhu", which is a bronze wine vessel, and bamboo is a bamboo slip used for taking notes, all of which reflect the aristocratic life and cultural development level of this vassal state. Secondly, according to Yan Shigu's note in Nine Chapters: "Monks learn books, or take notes and chop wood for them", he thinks that "monks" and "bamboo" are both used for writing. Third, bamboo is not produced in the north, and "solitary bamboo" is a place where bamboo is scarce. The fourth explanation. Some scholars believe that "solitary bamboo" is bamboo, which represents the root of a man and is a strong male penis. It is the totem of a clan.
As for the establishment time of the solitary bamboo kingdom, according to the research cited in Biography of Boyi in Historical Records, "the monarch of the solitary bamboo kingdom was sealed by Tang Yin on March 3rd". It is for the lonely bamboo kingdom. Oracle Bone Inscriptions in Yin Ruins is called "Zhu Hou". When Shang Tang established the Shang Dynasty, it was said that it was the eighteenth year of Shang Tang (to be tested), about 1600 BC.
There are three theories about the time of the demise of the solitary bamboo country. According to Spring and Autumn Annals and Guoyu Qiyu, during the Spring and Autumn Period, Beishan Rong (later Xianbei) invaded the Yan State, and the Yan State became the first overlord in the Central Plains and was in a hurry to save Yan. "Northern expedition to Shanrong, clapper chop solitary bamboo, return to the south." Qi Huangong's Northern Expedition defeated Shanrong and made it retreat to the north. At the same time, he was defeated and ordered to behead the solitary bamboo king. Qi Huangong twenty-two years, 664 BC. Second, according to Guanzi, about four years later (in 660 BC), Qi Huangong "moved to the north and left a branch (Ganoderma lucidum)" to completely conquer Shanrong, Guzhu and Ganoderma lucidum. Single capacity to donate gold (copper) means surrender, and the solitary bamboo country and the branch country have since disappeared. Thirdly, according to the Records of Lulong County, in the fifteenth year of King Jing of Zhou (530 BC), the state of Feizi was destroyed by Jin, and Feizi went to the State of Yan, and the State of Yan put Feizi in the State of Solitary Bamboo and built the State of Feizi. From then on, there is no record of solitary bamboo country in Historical Records. Regarding the time of the demise of the solitary bamboo country, the academic circles generally take the first view, that is, it was destroyed by Qi Huangong in 664 BC. In fact, this time, Qi Huangong beheaded the monarch of the solitary bamboo country, and the solitary bamboo country did not perish. The time recorded in Guanzi was 660 BC, and the solitary bamboo country died. Since then, solitary bamboo has become a place name and has been incorporated into the territory of Yan State. Solitary bamboo people were integrated into Shanrong or Yan ethnic groups respectively, and their activities remained in the history of China for about 1,000 years.
Generally speaking, Solitary Bamboo is a primitive tribe before Shang Dynasty. The solitary bamboo kingdom flourished in the Shang Dynasty, declined in the Western Zhou Dynasty and died in the Spring and Autumn Period. It existed for about 940 years from its establishment to its extinction (about 65438 BC+0600 BC-660 BC). It can be divided into two periods. The first 554 years (about BC 1600-BC 1046) was an important vassal state of Shang Dynasty in the north. The last 386 years (65438 BC+0046 BC-660 BC) was a vassal state with different surnames of the Zhou Dynasty, which was controlled by the Yan State and its political status declined.
The relationship between the solitary bamboo kingdom and the Shang royal family is quite close for three reasons:
First, the monarch of the solitary bamboo kingdom, Mo Tai and Wang Shangdu, are all children's surnames, and they are all a branch of the Northeast Yi nationality.
Second, the in-laws relationship.
Third, the need for border security.